— Donna Terry remembers clearly Joel Osteen speaking out of the TV and seemingly directly to her. She took the message as a sign to get moving. Terry had always wanted to go to nursing school, and in the winter of 2007, Osteen's words carried the message that it was time. "Joel Osteen said if you felt like the Lord has been putting something on your heart to do, and you felt strongly about it, that the Lord will never put something on you to do what he would not give you the strength to be able to get through," said Terry, who will only give her age as in the 40s. "It was like an epiphany, and I thought you know, I've been thinking for so long about going to RN school.

The Hampton University School of Nursing was awarded a $1.3 million grant to increase veterans' enrollment and graduation from the school, the university recently announced. The grant, awarded by the Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, will fund curriculum adaptation, mentoring and test preparation programs, and services for appropriate recognition of related military education and experiences. "The HU School of Nursing is both honored and excited about this award," Sherri Saunders-Goldson, HU assistant professor of nursing, said.

The Hampton University School of Nursing was awarded a $1.3 million grant to increase veterans' enrollment and graduation from the school, the university recently announced. The grant, awarded by the Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, will fund curriculum adaptation, mentoring and test preparation programs, and services for appropriate recognition of related military education and experiences. "The HU School of Nursing is both honored and excited about this award," Sherri Saunders-Goldson, HU assistant professor of nursing, said.

NEWPORT NEWS — Warwick High School will be expanding its horizons next school year when it adds the curriculum for a newly approved health sciences academy aimed at getting students ready for careers in the medical field. The new classes are the result of a joint venture between the York County School Division and Newport News Public Schools to establish a Governor's Health Sciences Academy at Bruton and Warwick high schools. The Virginia Board of Education approved the academy last month.

Late Riverside alumna Ruby Pope Drumm donated nearly $1.2 million to establish a scholarship fund. Debbie Sullivan-Yates has been director of Riverside School of Professional Nursing for five years. Occasionally, though, she receives mail addressed to her predecessor. Most of it is junk. A few weeks ago, she opened an envelope to find a check for nearly $1.2 million inside. At first, she thought it was a joke. But then she read the enclosed letter: A 1948 graduate of the school had passed away and left the money to establish a scholarship fund for nursing students.

A local white supremacist was booted from Riverside Regional Medical Center's nursing school last week after school officials realized their student was on television touting his racist beliefs. "We did the right thing," says Bud Ramey, the school's spokesman. John King, a Newport News man who claims membership in The World Church of the Creator, a white supremacist group, has filed a lawsuit against the school, claiming that its decision to expel him on April 22 violates his constitutional right to freedom of religion.

Hampton University's nursing school was awarded three grants totaling $3.2 million that will go toward retaining students and enhancing its doctoral program. The grants, given by the Department of Health and Human Services, were broken into three parts: The $1.2 million Nursing Workforce Diversity Grantwill be used to increase education opportunities through retention activities, stipends and scholarship support for students with disadvantaged backgrounds. The school will implement a model pre-entry and post-enrollment program for those students.

Louise Costello Schlachter, 80, died Sept. 8, 2008. Louise was a nursing student at Bellview Hospital, in New York City. She received her Ph.D. in Public Health from New York University. She retired as the Dean of the Nursing School at UNCC after 10 years. She was a life member of Counselor of Garden Club, and the Heritage Humane Society Auxiliary. She is survived by her husband, Richard, of 57 years; her two daughters, Louise Gritman of Long Island, N.Y., and Patricia Coustry of Denver, Colo.

NEWPORT NEWS - Martha E. Linthwaite, 89, died July 4th, 2003. Martha was self-reliant, independent, and friend for life. Born in Corydon Ind., near where her pioneering great-great grandfather John Peter Flach built the family's log cabin in 1819, she worked her way through nursing school during the Depression and was a Lieutenant in the Army Nurse corps during WWII. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Col George Linthwaite USA; her mother, Oda Hunter-Flock, and father, Noble Flock.

Beverly Holloway saw a need in Poquoson and decided to fill it. She became registered in cardiopulmonary resuscitation recently and now plans to volunteer to teach it at Heritage Place in Poquoson and at Riverside Hospital. A licensed practical nurse, Holloway started her career at Riverside Regional Convalescent Center after attending nursing school at Riverside Hospital when she was 48 years-old. Before that, she was head of alterations at the J.C. Penny store formerly located at Newmarket South.

YORK — Plans to expand the health and medical sciences program at Bruton High School are underway after the Virginia Board of Education last month approved a proposal for a health science academy at the school. The expanded program is the result of a joint venture between the York County School Division and Newport News Public Schools to establish a Governor's Health Sciences Academy at Bruton and Warwick high schools. Bruton started its health and medical sciences program three years ago with an intro to medical and health services course.

— Donna Terry remembers clearly Joel Osteen speaking out of the TV and seemingly directly to her. She took the message as a sign to get moving. Terry had always wanted to go to nursing school, and in the winter of 2007, Osteen's words carried the message that it was time. "Joel Osteen said if you felt like the Lord has been putting something on your heart to do, and you felt strongly about it, that the Lord will never put something on you to do what he would not give you the strength to be able to get through," said Terry, who will only give her age as in the 40s. "It was like an epiphany, and I thought you know, I've been thinking for so long about going to RN school.

Hampton University's nursing school was awarded three grants totaling $3.2 million that will go toward retaining students and enhancing its doctoral program. The grants, given by the Department of Health and Human Services, were broken into three parts: The $1.2 million Nursing Workforce Diversity Grantwill be used to increase education opportunities through retention activities, stipends and scholarship support for students with disadvantaged backgrounds. The school will implement a model pre-entry and post-enrollment program for those students.

Pamela Hammond, 59, was a first-generation college student when she graduated from Alabama's Tuskegee University in 1972. Recruitment of similar students is one of her top priorities as Hampton University's new provost, or chief academic officer. Formerly dean of the nursing school, Hammond replaced former Provost Joyce Jarrett on July 15. "Hampton's mission won't change," Hammond said. "Generational students continue to enroll. I want to attract first-generation students and understand they may need a little help," she said.

God saw that I was getting tired and a cure wasn't to be, so he put his arms around me and whisper come with me. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands put to rest to prove that the Lord only takes the best. On June 26, 2009, the Lord called home Cecil Michael Reynolds, 49, (Skip) after a short battle with cancer. Skip was born in Newport News, Va., on Aug. 11, 1959, the second child to Cecil R. and Alice V. Reynolds. Skip graduated from Menchville High School.

Louise Costello Schlachter, 80, died Sept. 8, 2008. Louise was a nursing student at Bellview Hospital, in New York City. She received her Ph.D. in Public Health from New York University. She retired as the Dean of the Nursing School at UNCC after 10 years. She was a life member of Counselor of Garden Club, and the Heritage Humane Society Auxiliary. She is survived by her husband, Richard, of 57 years; her two daughters, Louise Gritman of Long Island, N.Y., and Patricia Coustry of Denver, Colo.

Pamela Hammond, 59, was a first-generation college student when she graduated from Alabama's Tuskegee University in 1972. Recruitment of similar students is one of her top priorities as Hampton University's new provost, or chief academic officer. Formerly dean of the nursing school, Hammond replaced former Provost Joyce Jarrett on July 15. "Hampton's mission won't change," Hammond said. "Generational students continue to enroll. I want to attract first-generation students and understand they may need a little help," she said.

Ellen Gunnels Williams, 63, went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. She and her twin sister, Hellen, were born on March 28, 1944, in Macon, Ga., to the late Elmo Gunnels Sr. and Viola Gunnels. 'Lamy Pooh-Pooh,' as she was known to many of us, was one of six children. Born in Georgia, but raised in Wichita Falls, Texas, 'Lamy Pooh' was a joy and inspiration to everyone she met. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1963, and then went on to attend nursing school at Bethania School of Nursing.

A nurse who gave unauthorized medicine last week to a nursing home resident who later died has been fired, the home's administrator said. Police are investigating whether the medication caused or contributed to the death of John P. Stratton, 76, of Newport News, who was staying at the James River Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center, on Aberthaw Avenue near the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Main Street. Stratton was given the medicine on May 5, and died about 4 a.m. on May 6. Police spokesman Lou Thurston declined to reveal what medicine the nurse gave Stratton.

If you've ever needed the services of a volunteer rescue squad, you count on the fact that the staff has been properly trained and stays current on the life-saving skills. Should you ever need the Windsor Volunteer Rescue Squad and see Jane M. Griffin, you can be assured you're in good hands because when she's not volunteering, she's a nurse. "It definitely gives me an advantage to be a better medic because of my nursing background," said Griffin, who has volunteered with the squad for 15 years.